How Much Does Home Theater Installation Cost: Set a Budget for Your Home Theater System

Setting up a home theater system is a big project. Definitely, it will take a lot of your time and effort, and most especially money. So before you dive in and buy appliances, or look for people who can install them for you, you should first know how much does home theater installation cost.

We are talking about a big project here, so at the same time, you should also have a big plan. The answer to the question, “How much does home theater installation cost?” relies heavily on what you are planning to set up.

You can go high-end, mid-level, and low-end in terms of the appliances that you want to use. Not only that, but you should also consider modifications on your space.

Additionally, you have to keep in mind that most of the time, the prices of the needed appliances change. The shift in prices may be because of the season, demand, or marketing promos. Obviously, you should always be on the lookout for special sales and other freebies.

Factors to Consider

Here are some factors to note before you settle on a budget, or before you hire someone to set up a home theater system for you.

Space

This pertains to the actual area of the house where you are going to put the system. If you are dead serious about replicating the feel of a cinema, then your space should be a secluded one.

At the same time, you have to take into consideration the spaces between the screen, speakers, and the seats.

Design

Where do you want the screen to go? Do you want your speakers to be exposed? Are we just going to use traditional sofas?

All of these aspects are part of the overall design since more often than not, you have to drill holes for cable management. If you have a design ready, then you have the exact measurements or dimensions with you, when you go out and buy what you need.

Equipment

This is the part where for some people, they have to consult a professional. Having a home theater system is not as simple as having a huge screen and loud speakers.

There are a lot of choices out there, and most of the best ones do not pair well with others. So, you have to know a thing or two about the equipment that you are going to buy.

Setup

Do you want a high-end setup? Would you just like a screen projector? Do you prefer clarity of sound compared to screen resolution? This is your general idea for your home theater system.

Once you have a clear view of your set up, then that is the only time you can choose your equipment.

How Much Does Home Theater Installation Cost: The Estimates

The following list is divided into two categories. The first one is for the “Basics,” these are the fundamental equipment that you need in order to have a simple home theater system setup.

The other category is for “Miscellaneous,” these are the possible incidental costs that may differ based on your setup preference.

The Basics

Video Display

This refers to your actual television screen. You have to take note of the size, shape, and design. LED TVs are all the rage now, not only due to the high-quality resolution that it can provide but also for the efficiency in the use of electricity. The price range is $150 to $1500+.

Movie Player

These are your DVD players or Blu-ray players. Similarly, this is a core piece of the setup, as with the video display. Without this, you will not have any modes to play any movies. The price range is $80 to $400+.

Soundbar/Home Theater Receiver/Surround Sound

You can have all of these or just some of it. Again, it depends on the type of set up you like. These are the main components of the sound.

You might think that it is all based on the speakers, but no, without this equipment, the sound will just be flat. The price range is $50 to $6000+.

Speakers

You cannot just have one speaker; you should at least have two of them. This category also includes the subwoofer. Further, this is where your system will culminate in terms of sound.

It is recommended by professionals to have a good pairing of your speakers, subwoofers, and receiver—preferably in the same release edition, or at least the same brand. The price range is $200 to $1500+.

Cables and Connectors

The cables that come with your equipment are not enough; you have to purchase more for effective cable management. Connectors are also used to attach all of the components together, especially if you combine different brands of equipment. The price range is $50 to $5000+.

Power Management Device

You cannot just plug into the wall socket a bunch of home theater equipment. That is just a fire waiting to happen. To prevent this from happening, you should have a separate power source that manages all of your equipment. The price range is $60 to $300+.

The Miscellaneous Costs

Labor

Most probably, you need help in installing the equipment, especially if you do not have the technical know-how. This also applies to the laborers who will work in your home, in the event that your home theater space needs renovation. The price range is $200 to $900+.

Renovation

There will be times where you have to knock down a wall, or even strip the flooring to make way for your “cinema-like rug.” You might also consider soundproofing the walls, not to mention new furniture. The price range is $80 to $4000+.

Accessories

You will only know what other things you need, once everything is done. This includes mounts, remote controls, wireless devices, etc. The price range is $10 to $700+.

Summary

Do not let the big numbers fool you. As we have stressed over and over again, the budget will depend on the vision of your setup. Just go back to the four factors that we enumerated and put those into a plan.

Only then, you can move on to estimates. All in all, you should first invest on the basics, which are about $3,000 for a slightly mid-range setup.

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